Page 12 of Return of the Nine

The doctor showed her a station with the same comfort gel and after she settled, a halo of wires was carefully attached to her head.

Councillor Rothaway, the man who had announced his intentions toward her was staring at her as the contacts were pressed to her skin.

“Now, Signy, I need you to use your talent.”

Ziggy focussed on Dr. Meevin and extended her hand. “Put your hand in mine and it will start.”

Bemused the woman did as she asked and Ziggy let her mind do the rest.

Formal regulations for medical examination of xeno-original species ran through Ziggy’s mind. Dr. Meevin wasn’t just a physician, she was an alien specialist.

The Giants had a very specific hierarchy and their rituals and formalities were extensive. Ziggy would never need them all but the sheer complexity of etiquette was fascinating.

The doctor released her hand and stared at the readout. “Well, Signy Alora of Gaia, your species definitely has potential.”

The giant turned to Rothaway, “I will file the reports with the councils immediately. I don’t know how well the Gaians will accept the news, but they are definitely changing.”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa. What doespotentialmean?” She lifted the gear off her head.

Dr. Meevin looked at her and tilted her head. “You know that our races developed on the planet beneath us, correct?”

“I do.”

“We developed the way we did due to a subtle emanation of the planet that soaked into the soil and the plant life, working its way through the eco system. It changed us from our parent species into the nine separate races we have today.

“Your people have been on the surface long enough for threegenerations to breed and grow. Your parent species had the potential to develop extraordinary traits and if you are a good example of your people’s genes, you will be eligible to join the Nine in one more generation. For now, having potential means that we will guard your world from the Tokkel.”

She blinked in surprise. “It is that simple?”

Rothaway moved from his stationary position and came to help her from the exam seat. “It is not quite that simple, but it is a start, and it will keep us here.”

Ziggy stood and looked at where their hands were connected. His skin was rough and smooth at the same time, sending prickles of sensation through her. The same warm pulse that she remembered from five years earlier ran up her arm.

His voice rumbled over her and through her soul. “Do you want me here?”

She parted her lips to answer when Dr. Meevin cleared her throat. “Councillor Rothaway, you are overdue for your medication.”

He turned to the woman and bared his teeth. “I will take it tomorrow.”

“Sir, your levels are already dangerously low.”

Ziggy tugged on his hands to return his gaze to her and get him to stop glaring at the doctor. “What medication, what levels?”

He scowled at the doctor. “I had hoped for a more private setting for this conversation.”

“You are exuding quite a lot of pheromones, normal for a shifter in rut. You have been militant about taking your meds for the last five years, so this is a sudden change in attitude and physiology, councillor.” The doctor crossed her arms. “Your kind can be dangerous in that situation and I believe that our young miss needs to be informed before she gets any closer to you.”

Rothaway tightened his hands on hers. “I have alreadydeclared my claim in front of the entire assembly. She isn’t getting out of this now.”

Meevin gave him a half smile. “Congratulations. How brave to be declaring on behalf of an untested species.”

“I knew what she was when she first touched me. It simply took a while before I was able to find her again. My rut started with her touch, intensified with her kiss and has been idling in my bloodstream for five years. Enough is enough.”

The doctor paused. “You are serious? She is the one who triggered you?”

The question was phrased toward Rothaway, but Ziggy knew it was meant for her. “I am not sure what triggering entails, but I did touch and kiss him on a Tokkel ship five years ago.”

The doctor nodded sharply and checked medical reports once again. “It should work. You will have to work out the details with her at your leisure.”

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